My family of 5 just moved out of my parents' house. We miss seeing them every day, and they're experiencing empty nest 2.0.

The first thing I noticed was the silence. Waking up in our new home, we found it so quiet in the mornings.

Whereas a few weeks ago, I'd hear my dad shuffling around upstairs making his early-morning tea, or my mom listening to Reels, our house was suddenly deathly quiet before the kids opened their eyes.

August marked five months since we began living with my folks in my childhood home. They'd kindly offered my family of five the bottom level of their two-story house after we relocated from country Victoria in Australia to the Gold Coast, where I grew up.

The multi-generational living arrangement worked really well and was a success overall. But when my dad was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in June, we decided it was time for us to move on. In August, we moved into our own home, about 10 minutes' drive from my parents.

Since our multigenerational living experience has come to an end, the feelings that have bubbled to the surface have been interesting. Happiness, sadness, guilt, and relief all at once.

I know that we couldn't continue living with my parents forever. They're 77 and 81. They need their own space and vice versa. But the feeling is generally bittersweet.

In our new home, we can all totter around in our undies, without having to worry about feeling awkward. If my husband and I have a blow-up, there's nobody within earshot, and I think that we are getting on better in general now that we have our own space.

Our three kids also have their own rooms, which they are really enjoying (they were all piled into one bedroom at my folks' place). We no longer have to worry about the children being disruptive or navigate challenges like illnesses, different routines, or keeping shared spaces clean and tidy all the time.

Every time Melissa publishes a story, you'll get an alert straight to your inbox!

By clicking "Sign up", you agree to receive emails from Business Insider. In addition, you accept Insider's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Add BI in Google so our reporting is easier to find when you’re searching for what matters.

While I love solitude and am generally introverted, I find myself missing certain aspects of multi-generational living. My morning cups of tea with my dad, for example, when we'd sit on his veranda and chat in the sunshine, or not talk at all.